Tell Someone

In Oklahoma, Wal-mart partnered with Attorney General Drew Edmondson on a pilot program to encourage women suffering domestic violence to seek help. The following is from Kim Wells and CAEPV.

“For four months, beginning in November 2007, 10 Wal-Mart stores ut up informational posters in women’s restrooms and fitting rooms.

The poster shows a woman and young boy, sitting on a public bench, a suitcase and a teddy bear on the ground nearby. The poster reads, in part, “Domestic Violence – Tell Someone…End the Silence, End the Violence.” The posters include small tear-off pads with the Oklahoma Safeline phone number and directions in English or Spanish encouraging the abused to call.

“It’s small, so a woman can put it in her purse or her pocket and call when she’s safe,” said Edmonson. Often, an abused woman will be so controlled by the abuser that she is rarely in public without him. “A quick trip to the Wal-Mart bathroom might be her ony opportunity to seek help safely,” said Edmonton. “Our partnership with Wal-Mart has proven invaluable as a means to spread a message.”

Wal-mart and Attorney General Edmundston’s program was so successful:

“All 85 Wal-Mart Supercenter and discount stores in Oklahoma will place the posters in restrooms and fitting rooms. Wal-Mart is paying the cost to print the posters.”

Read the full story by Kim Wells, Executive Director of CAEPV. Workplace violence is a problem everywhere. If you are concerned about domestic violence at home or in the workplace, talk to your employer about CAEPV. You might prevent a tragedy for a friend– or your family if you happen to be one of the unfortunate victims who get in the way.